Sewing Studio

Fashion Fitting, Home Decor & More

Get to know your machine and the basics of pinning, stitching, pressing and finishing as you make a pillow and a pencil skirt.

Increase your sewing savvy with fit and finishing techniques from Diana Rupp of Make Workshop. In Sewing Studio, she'll walk you through two classic patterns - an Envelope Pillow and Naughty Secretary Skirt - using methods you'll use again and again. Create them using patterns from her book Sew Everything Workshop (not included with this class), or substitute with patterns of your choice. Watch step-by-step tutorials on zipper insertion, lining a skirt, adding darts, finishing with French seams and much more.

Lesson plan

Lesson 1. Introduction & Materials

The course begins with a brief introduction to the Sewing Studio and Diana Rupp, author of Sew Everything Workshop.

30:16

Lesson 2. French Seamed Envelope Pillow, Part I

While working on your pillow, you will learn about fabric construction, different types of edges, cutting, hemming, seam allowances and how to construct the French seam.

45:46

Lesson 3. French Seamed Envelope Pillow, Part II

In this session, you will assemble, sew, press and finish your pillow.

41:08

Lesson 4. Sewing From A Commercial Pattern

Diana explains the nuts and bolts of reading commercial sewing patterns and gives you the skinny on sizing conventions, pattern problems and other insider tips.

23:14

Lesson 5. The Mockup: Pinning Your Toile

Diana walks you through all the steps of laying out and pinning your toile or mockup for the Naughty Secretary Skirt.

20:34

Lesson 6. The Mockup: Cutting & Marking

Continuing on with the toile of the Naughty Secretary Skirt, Diana demonstrates several cutting and marking techniques and explains how they will jazz up your sewing.

58:59

Lesson 7. The Mockup: Sewing, Darts, Seams & Zippers

In this jam-packed session, Diana shows you how to sew the darts on your skirt toile, install an invisible zipper and sew your side and center back seams.

38:29

Lesson 8. The Mockup: Tailoring & Fit

Using the toile or muslin, Diana teaches you how to make major and minor alterations to your Naughty Secretary Skirt.

12:42

Lesson 9. Cutting Your Garment

Diana shows you how to use the tailored pattern you created with your toile to cut out the fabric for your "real" skirt.

6:04

Lesson 10. Stay Stitching

This quick yet vital step helps to keep your seams intact. Stay-stitching also keeps bias-cut or curved pieces from distorting as you sew.

16:26

Lesson 11. Bias Tape Waistband

Using bias tape, Diana shows you how to make a fun and flirty waistband, a wide structured waistband or a peek-a-boo contrast waistband.

17:12

Lesson 12. The Lining: Sewing & Inserting

While assembling and inserting the lining for your Naughty Secretary Skirt, Diana covers everything from fabrics to seams to the importance of pressing.

9:32

Lesson 13. Hem

Hemming made easy: Diana takes you carefully through the steps of hemming both the Naughty Secretary Skirt and the skirt lining.

13:12

Lesson 14. Slip Stitch & Finishing

Put the finishing touches on your skirt. Diana demonstrates hand sewing, the quilter's knot and the slip stitch, bringing you through the home stretch. Congratulations!

28:23

Lesson 15. For Reference: Know Your Machine

This detailed discussion of the sewing machine will equip you with the know-how you need to create fabulous and professional-looking projects.

24:52

Lesson 16. For Reference: Threading the Machine, Bobbins & More

This tutorial is great for beginners, but it is also a handy review for those of you who have been away from your sewing machine for a while.

"This was my second sewing class - the first one was an in-person class. It was exactly what I was looking for. Diana starts with the basics but includes some more advanced skills such as french seams and fitting. What I most appreciated was Diana's attention to detail. It helped me be more precise in my sewing. Even though I am a beginner, following Diana's instructions, I completed a pencil skirt that fits perfect and looks great. Thank you Diana." - DiannamcWest LA

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Student projects

Lesson plan

2:54

Lesson 1. Introduction & Materials

The course begins with a brief introduction to the Sewing Studio and Diana Rupp, author of Sew Everything Workshop.

30:16

Lesson 2. French Seamed Envelope Pillow, Part I

While working on your pillow, you will learn about fabric construction, different types of edges, cutting, hemming, seam allowances and how to construct the French seam.

45:46

Lesson 3. French Seamed Envelope Pillow, Part II

In this session, you will assemble, sew, press and finish your pillow.

41:08

Lesson 4. Sewing From A Commercial Pattern

Diana explains the nuts and bolts of reading commercial sewing patterns and gives you the skinny on sizing conventions, pattern problems and other insider tips.

23:14

Lesson 5. The Mockup: Pinning Your Toile

Diana walks you through all the steps of laying out and pinning your toile or mockup for the Naughty Secretary Skirt.

20:34

Lesson 6. The Mockup: Cutting & Marking

Continuing on with the toile of the Naughty Secretary Skirt, Diana demonstrates several cutting and marking techniques and explains how they will jazz up your sewing.

58:59

Lesson 7. The Mockup: Sewing, Darts, Seams & Zippers

In this jam-packed session, Diana shows you how to sew the darts on your skirt toile, install an invisible zipper and sew your side and center back seams.

38:29

Lesson 8. The Mockup: Tailoring & Fit

Using the toile or muslin, Diana teaches you how to make major and minor alterations to your Naughty Secretary Skirt.

12:42

Lesson 9. Cutting Your Garment

Diana shows you how to use the tailored pattern you created with your toile to cut out the fabric for your "real" skirt.

6:04

Lesson 10. Stay Stitching

This quick yet vital step helps to keep your seams intact. Stay-stitching also keeps bias-cut or curved pieces from distorting as you sew.

16:26

Lesson 11. Bias Tape Waistband

Using bias tape, Diana shows you how to make a fun and flirty waistband, a wide structured waistband or a peek-a-boo contrast waistband.

17:12

Lesson 12. The Lining: Sewing & Inserting

While assembling and inserting the lining for your Naughty Secretary Skirt, Diana covers everything from fabrics to seams to the importance of pressing.

9:32

Lesson 13. Hem

Hemming made easy: Diana takes you carefully through the steps of hemming both the Naughty Secretary Skirt and the skirt lining.

13:12

Lesson 14. Slip Stitch & Finishing

Put the finishing touches on your skirt. Diana demonstrates hand sewing, the quilter's knot and the slip stitch, bringing you through the home stretch. Congratulations!

28:23

Lesson 15. For Reference: Know Your Machine

This detailed discussion of the sewing machine will equip you with the know-how you need to create fabulous and professional-looking projects.

24:52

Lesson 16. For Reference: Threading the Machine, Bobbins & More

This tutorial is great for beginners, but it is also a handy review for those of you who have been away from your sewing machine for a while.

The instructor

Diana Rupp, Instructor of Sewing Studio

Dubbed the "youthful doyenne of sewing" by the New York Times and a "craft world luminary" by Huffington Post, Diana Rupp is an accomplished educator, author and entrepreneur. In 2002, Diana opened her fashion-forward sewing studio Make Workshop on the Lower East Side of New York, offering a wide array of classes, workshops and sewing materials. She is the author of two books, Sew Everything Workshop and Embroider Everything Workshop, and has her own line of patterns from McCall's.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(127 reviews)

Learn To Sew!

by April V on February 10, 2015

If you want to learn to sew look no further! Diana is a brilliant teacher and demystifies sewing with a methodical, clear approach. She's got a great personality and is entertaining and her passion for her craft shines through. Be advised you need to buy her book, Sew Everything Workshop, as it is the companion to the course. The book is worth every penny.

If you want to learn to sew look no further! Diana is a brilliant teacher and demystifies sewing with a methodical, clear approach. She's got a great personality and is entertaining and her passion for her craft shines through. Be advised you need to buy her book, Sew Everything Workshop, as it is the companion to the course. The book is worth every penny.

Great Instruction

by madelyn.t1465769 on February 9, 2015

I love her teaching style-very clear, orderly, and effective. She'll be one of my favorites!

I love her teaching style-very clear, orderly, and effective. She'll be one of my favorites!

Easy To Follow

by Maggieh814 on February 6, 2015

Paced well with clear instructions

Paced well with clear instructions

So Fun!

by fressiadiane on February 5, 2015

Even for an intermediate seamstress (I am using both of those adjectives loosely) there are some awesome tips and tricks. Dianna feels like an old friend and always promptly responds to my questions.

Even for an intermediate seamstress (I am using both of those adjectives loosely) there are some awesome tips and tricks. Dianna feels like an old friend and always promptly responds to my questions.

I Love It!

by Annce on February 4, 2015

Great class even for a semi beginner. She has some very good tips in here! Thanks Diana!

Great class even for a semi beginner. She has some very good tips in here! Thanks Diana!